Ilmatieteen

Ilmatieteen laitos, known in English as the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), is a Finnish government agency responsible for weather, climate, and related environmental information. It operates as Finland’s national meteorological service, providing weather forecasts, warnings, and climate data for the public, as well as specialized services for aviation, maritime, and other sectors.

The institute maintains a broad observation and data infrastructure, including weather stations, radar networks, satellites, and buoy and oceanographic sensors. It develops and runs numerical weather prediction models, performs data assimilation, and produces forecast products and climatological analyses. In addition to weather, FMI monitors air quality, hydrology, and space weather, contributing to safety, research, and environmental decision-making.

FMI conducts scientific research in meteorology, climatology, oceanography, and related disciplines. Its work supports long-range climate projections, extreme weather studies, and development of forecasting tools and services. The institute collaborates with universities, research organizations, industry, and international partners, contributing to global meteorological standards and data sharing.

Data and services are made available through FMI’s websites, portals, and applications, with open data policies that support researchers, businesses, and citizens. Public forecasts, weather warnings, and climatological information are used by media, emergency services, transport operators, and the general population.

Historically, FMI traces its roots to 19th-century meteorology in Finland and evolved into a dedicated national meteorological organization in the 20th century. It is governed as a state agency and operates under the Finnish government, with links to relevant ministries and regulatory frameworks.